Round 18 Preview – League One Men’s
The big games keep on coming as we approach Round 18 of the FNSW League One Men’s competition with a Friday night Match of the Round and top three clash this weekend.
Match of the Round: Hills United v Bulls FC Academy; Friday 5 June, 8pm, Valentine Sports Park
Fresh off a big win last weekend, Hills United host Bulls FC Academy in our Round 18 Match of the Round at Valentine Sports Park.
Perhaps the most eye-catching result of the season, on the back of a quality performance, saw Hills United take out a six-goal win over Dulwich Hill last weekend. Now the challenge is backing it up, and if they can, there’s no reason why they can’t compete for a top two place this season.
Crucially, the big in last weekend was that of Gary van Egmond, who returned to the dugout after his interim spell at Western Sydney Wanderers. His side put on a show, with the likes of Lachlan Sepping, Max Hately, Walid Moutaouakkil and Yuki Kanai all in form. Supported by Zen Gigliotti and Darian Daghero behind them, this is a strong side who can put together a run of form.
They face a Bulls FC Academy team who could look a bit different to what we’ve seen before this campaign. Sitting in mid-table with a record of eight wins, one draw and eight defeats, they come in on the back of a Round 17 victory over Newcastle Jets.
In that one, they showed improvement in the second half, which was enough to take the points. Sebastian Krslovic and Trypp McLachlan were their two best players, while Zane Helweh scored the winning penalty. But once again, look for potential changes heading into this one.
Last Meeting: Bulls FC Academy 1-3 Hills United
Elsewhere
Hakoah FC v Blacktown Spartans; Saturday 6 June, 4:30pm, Hensley Athletic Field
Another competition heavyweight makes the trip to Eastgardens with Hakoah FC hosting Blacktown Spartans on Saturday afternoon.
Completing their home stand this weekend will be Hakoah, who are in a mixed run of form coming in. Last weekend they went down to a narrow defeat to Bankstown City at the same venue.
In a close game, they couldn’t quite equalise a second time after Ben Fuchs scored earlier in the match. Currently in the midst of a run which sees them meet all of the top four in five games, can they pick up some points here?
Speaking of teams in a mixed run of form, Blacktown Spartans have won two and drawn two in their last four games, beating Western City Rangers pretty comprehensively at home in Round 17 action.
Scoring four goals in the opening half, they returned to winning ways with all four goalscorers making big contributions, as well as Milos Jankovic, Maksim Kasalovic and Christian Nascimben in midfield. With a big game against Bankstown City on the horizon, they’ll want to keep their performance levels up here.
Last Meeting: Blacktown Spartans 1-1 Hakoah FC
Bankstown City v Northern Tigers; Saturday 6 June, 5pm, Jensen Park
It’s set to be an eventful Saturday afternoon as Bankstown City will be eyeing a top two spot when they host Northern Tigers at Jensen Park.
It’s the first of two blockbuster games from a Bankstown City perspective, with a clash against the Spartans on the horizon. They come in on the back of their first win in the Panni Nikas era against Hakoah last time out.
They did well to control the scoreboard there, taking a lead through a Jason Cakovski goal before Jonathan Grozdanovski scored the eventual winner in the second half. Returning home for the first time since the coaching change, they’ll be keen to make a statement here.
Northern Tigers got a much-needed confidence boost with a win over Prospect United last weekend. Holding a point advantage over their opponents this weekend, three points would restore some breathing room.
Jesse Spang is the clear standout when looking at players who hold a goal threat, while Connor Rose picked up a goal and an assist in their three-goal win. A side who have conceded just 15 times this season, look for that to be an important factor here.
Last Meeting: Northern Tigers 1-0 Bankstown City
Dulwich Hill v Central Coast Mariners; Saturday 6 June, 5pm, Arlington Oval
Dulwich Hill and Central Coast Mariners will be looking to bounce back from respective Round 17 defeats when they meet at Arlington Oval.
Round 17 was certainly one to forget from a Dulwich Hill perspective, going down to a hefty defeat at the hands of Hills United. Lacking some key players through injury, they struggled against a relentless Hills United.
Now the focus turns to bouncing back well and showing some pride in another home game. Samuel Hovar should be available for a return from suspension in this one. Can they bounce back here?
Football can change a lot in the space of a fortnight! Just as it looked like Central Coast Mariners could be a surprise contender further up the table, they have lost their last two against Prospect and Macarthur Rams.
Against the Rams, they fell just short in a tight game at a tough venue to play at. You’d still fancy them to bounce back in this one, having said all that.
Last Meeting: Central Coast Mariners 2-0 Dulwich Hill
Inter Lions v Hurstville Zagreb; Saturday 6 June, 5pm, Majors Bay Reserve
Hurstville Zagreb will visit their home away from home when they take on Inter Lions at Majors Bay Reserve.
Inter Lions’ winning run was halted last weekend at four games. Coming up against an in-form Canterbury Bankstown side, it was very much a tale of two halves before they tasted defeat.
As such, it’s important that they bounce back here at home as they look to give themselves breathing room over the bottom two. One thing going in their favour is the goal-scoring form of both Owen Duke and James Khoury, who has now scored in five straight games.
Hurstville Zagreb are in good form themselves, picking up three consecutive wins to climb up the table, including one in front of our camera last weekend over Rydalmere.
They were good value for their first-half lead before they showcased a resilient defence during the second half. Consecutive clean sheets are an encouraging sign as they look to shore up their defence, while Allesandro Lacalandra continues to provide goals.
Last Meeting: Hurstville Zagreb 1-0 Inter Lions
Newcastle Jets v Prospect United; Saturday 6 June, 5pm, Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility
Newcastle Jets Academy host Prospect United as both sides look for a return to winning ways in Round 18 action.
The hosts come into this one on the back of two single-goal defeats to Hurstville Zagreb and last weekend Bulls FC Academy. Having picked up 21 points so far this season, they could see a few players drop out this weekend due to A-League commitments.
Back to the Bulls game, they put in an improved performance away from home. The trio of Kaiden Walshie, Nicholas Badolato and Archie Brideson were their best in defeat.
This game stands out as a good opportunity for Prospect United to bounce back with a win after a defeat to Northern Tigers last Sunday evening.
A good opportunity in the sense they got the better of Central Coast Mariners just a fortnight ago. They shared the points in the first meeting between the two, with Praneet Singh scoring a late equaliser that day. Five of their thirteen points have come against academy sides so far this season.
Last Meeting: Prospect United 1-1 Newcastle Jets
Rydalmere Lions v Macarthur Rams; Saturday 6 June, 6:30pm, Rydalmere Park
Rydalmere Lions will be looking to arrest their slide down the table when they host Macarthur Rams.
This match begins what looks on paper like a tough month for Rydalmere Lions, who are now winless in their last six games, including a Round 17 defeat to Hurstville Zagreb away from home.
A tough away trip made even harder by the fact they conceded first in a first half where they struggled to assert themselves. The first time they were held scoreless since Round 5, the onus will be on their attacking players to find a way through a stringent Rams defence.
Speaking of, not many people would have had the Macarthur Rams in fourth position after over half of the season. Yet back-to-back wins in their first two second-round games has put them in exactly that position.
Last weekend they picked up a one-goal victory over Central Coast Mariners Academy at home courtesy of a Chan Yelchan goal late in the second half. A deserved victory, with room to improve in the front third — can they extend their run here?
Last Meeting: Macarthur Rams 3-3 Rydalmere Lions
Western City Rangers v Canterbury Bankstown; Saturday 6 June, 7pm, Popondetta Park
It’s a big game for Western City Rangers as they host Canterbury Bankstown at Popondetta Park in the late kick-off on Saturday.
If Western City Rangers are to survive this season, the next three games could be the catalyst, with a somewhat easier draw. There’s no hiding from the fact that they are on a disappointing run of late, which saw them lose 4-1 to Blacktown Spartans last weekend.
Key to their chances will be how they start this one after conceding early goals against the Spartans last weekend. They are looking just that little bit stronger recently with players returning from injury. One such player scoring was Thomas Lopez.
They face a Canterbury Bankstown side in form though, who have managed three wins in their last three games. Round 17 saw an impressive second-half performance which was enough to overcome Inter Lions.
Four different goalscorers found the back of the net in that one, including Dennis Jang and Peter Kostopoulos, who both scored their first goal of the season.
Last Meeting: Canterbury Bankstown 1-3 Western City Rangers
By Justin Smith
